We got what we wanted: Atletico Kolkata

Mumbai, July 10 (IANS) After roping in defender Rino Anto and midfielder Arata Izumi into their squad for the second season of the Indian Super League (ISL), defending champions Atletico de Kolkata on Friday seemed content saying they did not miss out in the auction at all.
Anto was bagged by the Kolkata franchise for a whopping Rs.90 lakh from his base price tag of Rs.17.5 lakh.

“We are not disappointed in missing out on any player. We had to choose somebody according to our plan which was to have a right back, and Rino was the only player who fitted the role. So we thought of spending on him so that we have somebody to play in that position. I feel happy getting him in the team,” Atletico co-owner Shaharsh Parekh told reporters here.

Speaking on medio Izumi, who was bought for Rs.68 lakh, Parekh said: “Central midfield is a position we were required to fill up. So that was a reason to have an attacking midfielder. Getting him on board was a well thought out plan.”

Asked why the franchise decided to wait before going all out for Rino, he said: “We wanted to see how the trading would go and then peak at the right time to get the right player.”

Rino said he was looking forward to the challenge of plying his trade with the champions.

“They are the defending champions, looking forward for the challenge to play with them. I was not expecting this but it’s good that it has come true,” the talented Bengaluru defender said.